{"id":3435,"date":"2020-07-09T14:15:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-09T18:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ovrs.com\/blog\/?p=3435"},"modified":"2020-07-17T14:18:53","modified_gmt":"2020-07-17T18:18:53","slug":"dog-itching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ovrs.com\/blog\/dog-itching\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Is My Dog Itching? Understanding Dog Skin Conditions and Allergies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Is your dog itching? While the occasional scratch or nibble at the skin is normal for most dogs, a dog chronically scratching indicates something more serious. Intense itching is an indicator that your pet may have skin allergies or other medical conditions that affect the skin. Skin conditions can also become inflamed or infected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oakland Veterinary Referral Services<\/a> sees many chronic and complex cases of skin disorders. We can explain reasons behind them and help you get to the bottom of this uncomfortable problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Reasons for Itching in Dogs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dog scratching is one of the more common reasons for veterinary visits when it comes to our canine companions. Understanding the reason for your dog itching is key to addressing the issue and starting treatment. Chronic scratching can be problematic for your pet, as well as the whole family, when the itchiness is severe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the reasons behind this? Here are the most frequently diagnosed reasons for dog itching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flea Bite Dermatitis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Flea bites are one of the top reasons for allergic reaction in dogs and the most commonly diagnosed skin condition. Flea bite dermatitis is an allergic reaction<\/a> or overreaction of the immune system to the flea\u2019s saliva. The proteins or antigens in the saliva are the reason behind the itchiness and other skin conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An allergy to flea bites is diagnosed through intradermal allergy testing and other specialized blood tests to isolate the specific allergen. There are several methods we suggest in treating this allergy. First, we make sure your itchy dog is on the right flea and tick preventative<\/a>. Removing the source of the problem should improve your pet\u2019s condition, but there are times when we also use desensitization through allergen injections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yeast Infection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yeast infection or yeast dermatitis is due to the fungus Malassezia pachydermatis. Yeast naturally lives on the skin and, in low numbers, is nothing to worry about. When the fungus flourishes, though, symptoms arise, such as itching, musty odor, crusty or flaky skin, thickened skin, and ear infections<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To diagnose yeast infection, we may choose to perform any of the following diagnostic tests:<\/p>\n\n\n\n